Apple iMac & Mac Mini Updated (2009)

It doesn’t take a genius to work out that Apple are a big thing in the tech world, and I think that all but the loneliest hermit can appreciate that when Apple release something new people want to know. So it comes as no surprise that the two new products (admittedly both updates of current ranges) released are causing some interest.

Today has brought updated versions of the iMac and Mac Mini both of which feature substantial improvements on their predecessors and both of which have been eagerly waited for by Apple enthusiasts. So, let’s have a look at what these new versions have to offer.
Firstly we have the iMac: the stylish all-in-one PC that is loved by families and interior designers alike. The four models released have a few substantial improvements: most noticeably with the Intel Core 2 Duo Processors and up to 1Tb in memory. The basic model has a 2.66GHz Intel Core 2 Duo processor, 2GB memory, a 320GB hard drive, 8x double-layer SuperDrive and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics whilst the second model offers you four inches more screen space, double the RAM and double the hard drive space.

Option three still offers you a 24 inch screen, but throws in a slightly quicker 2.93GHz processor and NVIDIA GeForce GT 120 128Mb graphics; and if you want a top of the range model you are still limited to 24 inches but you have a 3.06GHz processor, 1Tb hard drive space and NVIDIA GeForce GT 130 512Mb graphics. All in all pretty impressive, until you see the price.

Unfortunately despite the fact that Apple claim this is the “All-in-one for everyone” even the basic model costs a staggering £949, which is a pretty high sum for a computer that is very hard to upgrade. Option two comes in at £1199 with an extra £300 for the two successive upgrades, which I personally feel if pretty steep especially compared to its PC counterparts. But I digress…

Secondly we have the new Mac Mini which has finally been updated — it’s been a long wait since summer ’07 when Apple last looked at it. But despite this time lapse it appears they have been working, and they have got two new versions of the micro-computer to offer us.

Both versions look very similar to their predecessors, and you really have to look at the specs to see any difference: the basic model (at £499) comes with a 2GHz Core 2 Duo processor, 120 GB Hard drive, 1GB of RAM and NVIDIA GeForce 9400M graphics. The second offers you hard drive and RAM improvements with 320GB and 2GB respectively and they both have a variety of ports including five USB.

But Apple are not selling this on looks, form factor or (obviously, this is Apple!) price, they are focusing on the fact that the Mac Mini uses only 13 Watts whilst on idle which is 10 times less than the average PC making it the “most energy efficient desktop in the world”.

All in all these both look like good additions to the range, and Apple have stuck to their guns by not changing looks at all and just focusing on the specs. It seems a shame that they couldn’t transfer some of the genius of their design department to the financial department, but that is just a minor flaw!